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    Frontera Grill

    3.9 (2.8k reviews)
    ModerateMexican, Desserts
    Closed Closed
    Updated over 3 months ago

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    FRONTERA GRILL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed

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    Tammy S.

    I don't think I've ever been to Chicago without eating here and since it's my birthday week I didn't want to start now. So even though we couldn't get a reservation we decided to see how long a wait would be. We talked to the welcoming host and she said the bar and tables we're all was full but to hang out by the bar (of course we e would order the most amazing margaritas) and hopefully it wouldn't be longer than 35 minutes. I had no problem with that! We got our margaritas after about 10 minutes and then before we even had time to drink much, she came back to tell us she had moved some things around to get us a table in the dining room! Yes! We started with the queso fundido and I know that sounds so typical but with the peppers and onions on top, it's just so well balanced and stringy good! They serve it with warm blue corn tortillas. Next came the coliflor dish which was perfectly cooked cauliflower with poblano sauce and cheese. It was a taste celebration in my mouth! Yum! Finally, we ended with a glass of wine and lamb. So savory and rich without being heavy! The service is always stellar at Frontera and I love the lively atmosphere and beautiful art that is the everywhere! Thanks for a wonderful birthday dinner!

    Ceviche
    Moises T.

    We went to Frontera for the first time mostly because of the Rick Bayless hype. I was curious. It's an upscale place but still feels family friendly, with Dim lights and a chill energy. You can see into the kitchen, which I always like. Staff was Super friendly, always refilling drinks, clearing plates right away. No awkward waiting around. I started with the ceviche and honestly... that set the tone. Fresh, bright, really clean flavors. The citrus hit just right, not overpowering. Fish was tender, not mushy. Good balance of acidity and salt. Every bite tasted incredible, I could've stopped there but no, I kept going back for "one more bite" and suddenly it was gone. Then the cochinita pibil arrived. Texture-wise, really good. Juicy, tender, nice portion. But flavor-wise, it felt like it was missing that deep smoky note I expect from cochinita. Still good, just didn't hit as hard as the ceviche did. I really enjoyed this place. Specifically the ceviche, that still lives in my head.

    flan
    Young Y.

    Frontera grill was hands down AMAZING. We were surprised by how good the service was too when we went. You MUST get "The Classic Frontera Experience". It is so worth it. Food is authentic, delicious, and you definitely get your moneys worth. At first we thought we had to pick one of the appetizers on the menu, but you actually get all 4!! Like a lil tasting menu but portions are good. I was stuffed to the brim by the end, and I'm a huge eater (can eat over a whole dominoes pizza). For appetizers, we had guac and chips, ceviche, sopecitos, quesadillas (not the kind you're thinking of). My favorite was the ceviche (they really do it well) and guac. I also loved the mini mole course served (enchilada de mole). This was my first time trying mole, and man, I'm definitely a mole lover already. I also really love how the onions complement the rich savory flavor of the mole. For entrees I had chamorro al albañil and my gf had carne asada brava. We shared though, ofc. The salsa the carne asada is served with is smoky and fragrant, so delicious. The portion of the chamorro al albañil was huge. I definitely should've taken some to-go since I was overly full after dessert. Everything comes with tortillas. For dessert we got flan and the ice cream, with cajeta (goat milk caramel). Both were superb. I really like the cajeta on the ice cream, really is special. Way better than hot fudge. Our servers were really nice and attentive. They also cleaned up our utensils and table after each dish, which I didn't expect since we weren't at fine dining. The service really surprised me. I really like the ambiance and the latin music playing. Honestly I'd definitely come back next time I return to Chicago. Next time though, I'd probably visit Rick's Topolobompo, since I've never been and it's on my bucket list.

    Carne Asada "Brava"
    Michael B.

    My go to place when I'm in Chicago. On a business trip alone, so I sat at the grill counter in the back. It provided a nice view of everyone working in the back. The restaurant decor provides a sense of being in Mexico. The service was adequate, but not quite exceptional. The food was exceptional. The steak was perfectly prepared medium rare. The salsa provided just the right spicy kick. Delicate blue corn tortillas for cradling the steak. The tamale provided a nice sweet contrast to the spice of the salsa. Can't rave enough about the food. Just be warned that they add a 20% service fee on your bill to make sure the employees are well compensated.

    Dinner menu
    Andrea U.

    Rick Bayless still owns of Frontera Grill, a Chicago-based Mexican restaurant he opened in 1987 with his wife Deann, inspired by their travels in Mexico. He is the Michelin star chef and owner, his restaurant is known for contemporary Mexican cuisine. His daughter, Lanie is the cocktail impresario focusing on Mezcal. We made our dinner reservations before getting to Chicago. We were here 15 years ago, stopped at his fast food Mexican in O'hare. I have all of Frontera's cookbooks at home & use Rick Bayless' recipes! What I love about Frontera is they provide a list of the farms where their food comes from, it's truly farm to table. A 20% gratuity is added to every bill. The tables were very close together, when the wait staff came over, they either banged our table or hit the man with his back to us. We came early, hoping to get a seat at the bar and a drink first, but we were told that the bar was full and we were brought to our table. We were dressed for a special Friday night dinner but most were in shorts and sneakers. We finished our 3 course meal in less than an hour. Tonight we started with margaritas I had a mezcal margarita with Grand Marnie, limes & Peychaud while my husband had the Tupelo margarita with reposado tequila, and Torres, orange liquor. Our drinks were shaken, tableside and we shared guacamole, salsas and cold chips. Our main course was the cochinita pibil which was a slow cooked Gunthorpe Farm pork in banana leaves with beans, pickled onions and habanero salsa. We ended our meal with Frontera's chocolate pecan pie topped raspberry sorbet with Kahlúa whipped cream. Portion were small, tables were less than a foot apart and service was efficient. Happily the music was loud so we couldn't hear the conversation all around us. Dinner was good, but I remember being wowed years ago.

    Corn masa Quesadilla
    Karen L.

    One of the best Mexican food we have had in Chicago. Rick Bayless is truly a Top Chef. First time visiting and we were blown away by the complex flavors and the attention to details in the dishes. We had the queso fundido with their house made tortilla. It was melt in your mouth good. The 2 salsas were on point, not too spicy. For our main we had the pollo en salsa de guajillo y arandanos. Grilled half chicken with honeynut squash mash. The sweetness of the squash was a nice contrast to the slight bitterness of the guajillo-cranberry sauce. We also had the corn masa quesadillas. When paired together with the black bean and their avocado-tomatillo salsa, it was the perfect bite. For desert we had their pastel de tres leche, sponge cake with coffee infused tres leche. It came with creamsicle ice cream and coffee flavored jelly pieces. It was a perfect balance of creaminess with some texture from the crumbles and coffee jelly. Service was good with very attentive servers coming by often for water refills and cleaning up of the tables. The restaurant is not that big so it does get crowded and a little loud. I would recommend making reservations especially on Friday and Saturday. Dress code is casual. Will be returning again on our next visit to Chicago.

    Enchiladas de Mole
    Pat M.

    One of the great classic iconic restaurants in Chicago, I have been wanting to dine here since they opened. Don't know why it's taken so long, I guess good things come to those who wait! Service was excellent and very engaging and helpful. Food lived up to all the hype and awards, and then add the cool authentic decor and welcoming vibe. Two of the three of us are vegetarians, so we were pleasantly surprised there's an entire separate menu with a wide selection. Salsa's I've made many times from Rick Bayliss cookbook are benchmark. Moles were great, both chicken and portobello, which I really appreciated a veggie version. Eggplant was light, delicate and crunchy. Our fantastic server Beto recommended many of our dishes and he was on the mark! Including the wine pairing with the mole and the dessert. Margarita they shake at the table was delicious. The daughter's blackberry limeade drink made in-house, was refreshing and at a reasonable price. The restaurant adds 20% gratuity to each check, which is fine to my eyes, no math necessary These days, it seems easy to get reservations here, so we will be returning!!

    Topolo margarita
    Rhett R.

    I'm a huge Rick Bayless fan and even had the chance to meet him once at a cookbook signing -- he's just as chill and genuine in person as he seems! Not only is he incredibly down-to-earth, but the man knows his way around a kitchen. Rick has an amazing talent for blending authentic Mexican flavors in a way that's both traditional and elevated. Every dish he creates bursts with flavor and balance -- he never misses. If you ever get the chance to eat at one of his restaurants, do it! You won't be disappointed.

    Poc Chuc
    Will K.

    I love Rick Bayless' regional Mexican food, no doubt, and a recent lunch visit to Frontera Grill really hit the spot. I was tempted by the 3 course pre-fixe lunch menu ($32 pp over 60 minutes) but wasn't feeling that hungry. It's a good deal for the price, though! Outside was a 30 minute wait on a gorgeous Chicago afternoon, so we opted to eat inside. The staff was super friendly and took out orders swiftly and made sure to answer questions and proactively set expectations. I ordered the poc chuc (a rare pork dish to find outside of the Yucatan and was warned it would be room temp) and grilled corn. Both were fabulous. My partner got the fried fish tacos made with walleye. We also shared Chips/Salsa. The black beans on the Fish Taco dish were outstanding. All the salsas were fabulous. Flavors were poppin' all around. Attention to details were very much present. Would go back in a heartbeat.

    Blue corn tortillas, fresh!  Warm! Plentiful!
    Dave B.

    Since 1987, the year Frontera Grill was opened by Rick and Deann Bayless, it's been my favorite restaurant, Chicago or anywhere. Tuesday night, another classic dinner. Check out happy hour menu for small bites and drinks. There is also separate entree and cocktails menus. All with same cover so start with Happy Hour. Check website as the times and days vary. I sampled ceviche and chicken taqueritas then a white sweet potatoe in a mole, and carnitas. All this and more. Ask server for suggestions. I preferred the margarita in the rocks. See pics. Reservations accepted.

    A broccoli dish that came with tortillas. Delicious.
    Maralyn O.

    Always, always, an incredible meal, service, and atmosphere. I love dining here because of the colorful atmosphere and the colorful food and the presentation of the food. The menu has amazing options for someone like me who is plant based. I cannot say enough about this restaurant.!! we decided to eat at the bar and had an amazing bartender great service.

    Tres leches cake!
    Ahmad O.

    I decided to make a reservation for lunch at Frontera and I'm glad I did because it was busier than I expected! I waited for a bit before the waitress took my order but she was very nice about it so no harm, no foul! The restaurant was lively for 12pm! I decided to order off the pre fixe lunch menu and got the garden salad, carnitas tacos and the pastel de cuatro leches, maracuyá y mango. The salad was pretty standard, but solid. The tacos were very tasty with crispy, yet tender carnitas and lots of great toppings. But the star of the show was that cake. It was so moist and the combination of the raspberry compote, the coconut and the mango sorbet took it to a new level. And it wasn't heavy! It was so light and refreshing. I had a solid meal and will probably come back during my lunch hour!

    S'mores Tres Leches ($15)
    Tabitha W.

    Frontera Grill offers flavorful, slightly more elevated Mexican dishes with creative vegetarian options. During a lunchtime visit, we tried the Empanadas de la Milpa ($15), Enchiladas Verdes Arca ($23), and we also couldn't resist getting the S'mores Tres Leches ($15) for dessert. They do tack on a default 20% service charge as well.

    Chocolate Pecan Pie Bar

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    Page 3 of 69

    Frontera Grill Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Frontera Grill

    Do they have vegan options?

    Not that I recall

    Has anyone ventured here with kids? I know it says it's not good for kids on the profile but I'm coming to Chicago with my family and really want to try it!!

    We went with our 2-1/2 year old for lunch a few weeks ago. We also are from out-of-town and really wanted to try it. They had a high chair and it was a great experience. We had to keep the little guy entertained and fed him food we brought (didn't… Read more

    Do they have a bar where one can sit without a reservation and order from the full menu?

    Yes. The bar and high top tables are first come, first serve; the full menu is available here, and there are seats at both the bar and high tops.

    Is there a Happy hour?

    think they had some 5 de Mayo thing ,starting 5pm . 5 beers 16.00 dollars.not certain,but overall sounded good.

    What is the price for brunch on a Saturday?

    It varies depending on Menu Item.

    I yelled food baskets in Chicago and this site turned up. Yet I see nothing here to suggest that. Ideas?

    Umm, yeah they don't sell food baskets. But if they did, it would have chicken tortilla soup, carne asada tacos and margaritas. Not such a bad basket in my opinion.

    Anyone know how much the valet parking costs?

    Not sure about valet, but there is so much street parking available.

    I have heard the place is overrated ? Any comments on alternatives in the same area?

    Over rated how? It's always been authentic Mexican and they do an excellent job of representing the cuisine there. They are winning Michelin stars ( kitchen staff and food is comparable to Topolobampo and his other properties.). My husband is… Read more

    How flavorful is the Carne Asada?

    I don't know if I can quantify it, but it is out of this world good. Everything there is.

    Is this restaurant good for kids during lunch hours? & do they provide high-chairs?

    Yes, they have high chairs booster seats and a kids menu that's a coloring sheet, they even give them crayola crayons.

    View All 11 Questions

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    Matcha En - Souffl

    Matcha En

    4.2(286 reviews)
    2.6 miChinatown
    $$

    Cozy dessert spot in Chinatown closely connected to so many more dessert and dinner spots. There's…read morea tablet available to order from but I missed it on entry. It's located opposite of the cash register and menu. Service was friendly. Washroom (restroom, bathroom search terms) available. Decent amount of seating, serving as a solid space to study or get work done. Black Sesame Matcha Latte - while the black sesame graininess settled at the bottom expectedly, the matcha was clearly whisked well. There were no clumps of bitterness to be found. Despite sugar adjustments, this was still very sweet so I'd classify the spot as more desserty rather than strong matcha or a cafe. Though I'm happy to be proven wrong with their regular matcha in the future.

    Very nice sit down fancy treats Bakery and Boba Tea House in ChinaTown. It is a very busy place…read moreand once inside you'll understand why. Tastefully decorated and very clean lines. The menus are easy to follow they even offer a digital kiosk from Chow Bus to order. Friendly help took my order. The brown sugar boba milk tea, make sure you secure the top and flip it over to mix it together well, otherwise the flavor is lost. They gave us a sample of matcha ice cream and that was delicious I must say. Many wonderful treats I noticed and a busy place. Well done! You can find it inside the West Entrance. In front of Lao Szchesuan . Across from Chinatown's Walgreens on Cermak & Archer Avenue . Enjoy !

    Photos
    Matcha En
    Matcha En - Chocolate crepe cake

    Chocolate crepe cake

    Matcha En - Super M (left) and Black Sesame Matcha Latte (right)

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    Super M (left) and Black Sesame Matcha Latte (right)

    UFOUU - Matcha ice cream

    UFOUU

    4.3(60 reviews)
    2.6 miChinatown

    Cheesecake was fire, was fluffy and not too sweet. Very cute shop. A bit pricey for the portion,…read morebut it's Chicago.

    I recently tried UFOUU, the Chicago-based bakery known for their Japanese-style cheesecakes, and…read moreoverall it was a really a hit for me. I wish I was able to travel with one of their cheesecakes but they require refrigeration. Anyhow the cheesecake itself was delicious super light, fluffy, and honestly felt like biting into a cloud. I had the salted egg but they had several flavor options that I would've loved to try if slices were available. The texture is what really stands out, and the flavor was unique and interesting in a good way. I couldn't quite put my finger on what it taste like, but it was sweet, but not too sweet They only sale but I consider a personal size but it's definitely enough to share with two people, maybe even three depending on how much of a sweet tooth you have. My only downside like others is the price. Paying around $19-$20 for a small cheesecake felt a bit steep, especially since they don't offer slices. I really wish they had smaller portions available so you could try different flavors without committing to a full cake prize. They package it very well and they also serve you a cute little fork set and a knife for cutting which I think is contributes to the price. The shop itself is very cute with chic décor and a lot of Asian-inspired artwork, which adds to the overall vibe. Customer service was friendly. When I visit Chicago again I'd definitely go back the texture and taste alone make it worth it but I do hope they consider offering smaller portions in the future.

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    UFOUU - Matcha

    Matcha

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    UFOUU

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    Mabu Generation - Mabu egged Sukiyaki with rice

    Mabu Generation

    4.4(57 reviews)
    2.5 miChinatown
    $$

    Decided to spontaneously eat here on a friday night while walking past and did not regret it…read more The restaurant wasnt overly crowded or loud and, the service was great while the food was even better. The taiwanese style popcorn chicken and pork cutlet were super juicy and tender with nicely crisp breading. The sausage had a pleasant sweetness to it and was served with garlic chips, which added a nice touch. Finally, the broth of the Sichuan noodles was packing with flavor: sweet, tangy, spicy, umami - truly hit all the spots without being too numbing to your mouth, if thats one of your concerns Would definitely return to try the other menu items, especially their hot sizzling plates and their dessert/drink offerings

    Valentine's Night in Chinatown is going to be a long wait for most places ... this was the 3rd or…read more4th place we went to and got only a 30 min wait (slight lullaby in patrons) vs the 90m to 2 hours from the Shabu Rotary and Sushi Plus across the street. Its a smaller place but has updated and cute design and vaguely anime vibe. The tables have little drawers with napkins and flatware like some Korean places do as a nice surprise... also the QR code menu on it. Food is Asian fusion and primarily Taiwanese I guess so it was different but familiar and I got a Hotpot to appease my disappointed shabu craving... pals like their dishes as well... drinks were pretty cute - especially the chocolate sugar bear. Good place to hit ii Chinatown next time youre down there.

    Photos
    Mabu Generation - Inside

    Inside

    Mabu Generation - Ovaltine Condensed milk French toast

    Ovaltine Condensed milk French toast

    Mabu Generation - R07. Japanese Style Curry & Garlic Udon With Mashed PotatoTempura Shrimp

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    R07. Japanese Style Curry & Garlic Udon With Mashed PotatoTempura Shrimp

    Te’amo Boba Bar - Rose amour donut

    Te’amo Boba Bar

    4.5(269 reviews)
    2.6 miChinatown
    $$

    Are you guys ready for this review??…read more So my partner decided we are going to china town for lunch with his mom and sister. Family day in the city, DURING A SNOWSTORM!! We arrive, place is closed, will open in 10 mins. Perfect, we go to a near by shop and I spot some demon hunter Stanley cups!! I get them of course! We head to lunch, everything is great! As we are heading out, my partners sister spots Te'amo! I ask if she's ever had mochi donuts. She hasn't, so of course we must stop in because everyone needs to try them at least once!!! We order at the kiask and patiently wait for our order. We get our order and leave....leaving the bag with the Stanley's behind!!! We don't realize this until we are home (45 mins away)! I immediately call, no answer, call again, no answer. I decide to DM their instagram page and guess what??? THEY HAD THE CUPS!!! Here I was thinking $150 in cups were gone. But they had them!!! A miracle!! 10/10 stars!! Anyway! I highly recommend the brûlée ube milk tea and the ube mochi donuts!!

    We stopped in whilst visiting Chinatown. We have one in our town and like to visit it on occasion…read more We ordered 5 drinks on the kiosk and found a place to sit in the back corner. Our order was ready pretty quick and everyone seemed happy with their drinks. The drinks are so pretty! Te'amo is pretty small and the night we went it was really messy.

    Photos
    Te’amo Boba Bar
    Te’amo Boba Bar - Super cute, friendly, fast and amazing boba! Definitely a place to check out.

    Super cute, friendly, fast and amazing boba! Definitely a place to check out.

    Te’amo Boba Bar - Ube Mochi Donut

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    Ube Mochi Donut

    Frontera Grill - mexican - Updated May 2026

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